Overnight?

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Descant

I feel like there was a bit of a leap from a simple question about overnight anchoring to an assumption that there would be inappropriate discharges. Decades ago, when fewer boats had holding tanks, I would have agreed, as did the legislature. In those days, towns (Wolfeboro, Meredith, and the Weirs in particular) encouraged overnight stays at the municipal docks. Good for business, and the boats attracted tourists.

Now, I think everybody is aware of the need to protect our waters and the issue is more one of landowners and boatowners having an appreciation for the desire to use the lakes without harm. The relevant RSA is 270-A.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...XXII-270-A.htm

Overnighting on your boat is a little like camping. Maybe a little cramped, hard to get dry on a rainy day, etc, but fun and a family adventure. If you have a friend with a dock, go for it. If you can tie off a bit so you don't bump against the dock, it will feel like you're at anchor.

I've overnighted many times at anchor. Overnighting at anchor is not for me, as I always seem to pick a night that has a full moon, which shines into my eyes each time the boat turns on its mooring line. For me, anyway, it's like having a flashlight turned onto one's face.

But night-anchoring is a hazard to Winnipesaukee navigation, particularly with night-time boaters striking navigation markers and breaking them off—not to mention the many islands becoming impediments to travel—such as Eagle, Rattlesnake, Parker or Diamond—which have been seriously impacted in the dark. Maintaining "Safe Passage" means staying 150-feet from such granite objects, but the darkness changes everything.

You can relate RSAs all day long, but ultimately they are ignored or special interests will see them ripped away: NH has an RSA on disposing of plastic in the lake, yet we often see bottles or bait containers floating by.

NH had a boating RSA on excessive exhaust-pipe noise, but that's no longer the case.


While it's possible that Winnipesaukee's many lodging facilities would never feel the pinch from night-anchorers, it's also possible that some at anchor would take the dearth of enforcement during night hours to live aboard their boats all summer.



Getting up with the dawn gives me a special look at Lake Winnipesaukee. Most summer mornings, I'm greeted with a rosy sunrise—other times—well...night-anchorers have to start their waking hour in their usual manner.

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by ApS

I've overnighted many times at anchor. Overnighting at anchor is not for me, as I always seem to pick a night that has a full moon, which shines into my eyes each time the boat turns on its mooring line. For me, anyway, it's like having a flashlight turned onto one's face.

But night-anchoring is a hazard to Winnipesaukee navigation, particularly with night-time boaters striking navigation markers and breaking them off—not to mention the many islands becoming impediments to travel—such as Eagle, Rattlesnake, Parker or Diamond—which have been seriously impacted in the dark. Maintaining "Safe Passage" means staying 150-feet from such granite objects, but the darkness changes everything.

You can relate RSAs all day long, but ultimately they are ignored or special interests will see them ripped away: NH has an RSA on disposing of plastic in the lake, yet we often see bottles or bait containers floating by.

NH had a boating RSA on excessive exhaust-pipe noise, but that's no longer the case.


While it's possible that Winnipesaukee's many lodging facilities would never feel the pinch from night-anchorers, it's also possible that some at anchor would take the dearth of enforcement during night hours to live aboard their boats all summer.



Getting up with the dawn gives me a special look at Lake Winnipesaukee. Most summer mornings, I'm greeted with a rosy sunrise—other times—well...night-anchorers have to start their waking hour in their usual manner.

Oh boy!

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by ApS

I've overnighted many times at anchor. Overnighting at anchor is not for me, as I always seem to pick a night that has a full moon, which shines into my eyes each time the boat turns on its mooring line. For me, anyway, it's like having a flashlight turned onto one's face.

But night-anchoring is a hazard to Winnipesaukee navigation, particularly with night-time boaters striking navigation markers and breaking them off—not to mention the many islands becoming impediments to travel—such as Eagle, Rattlesnake, Parker or Diamond—which have been seriously impacted in the dark. Maintaining "Safe Passage" means staying 150-feet from such granite objects, but the darkness changes everything.

You can relate RSAs all day long, but ultimately they are ignored or special interests will see them ripped away: NH has an RSA on disposing of plastic in the lake, yet we often see bottles or bait containers floating by.

NH had a boating RSA on excessive exhaust-pipe noise, but that's no longer the case.


While it's possible that Winnipesaukee's many lodging facilities would never feel the pinch from night-anchorers, it's also possible that some at anchor would take the dearth of enforcement during night hours to live aboard their boats all summer.



Getting up with the dawn gives me a special look at Lake Winnipesaukee. Most summer mornings, I'm greeted with a rosy sunrise—other times—well...night-anchorers have to start their waking hour in their usual manner.

Well is a darn good thing that we got lots of loud boats out there blasting back and forth all night long keeping you illegal overnighters from getting a good nights sleep.

[wifi]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Well is a darn good thing that we got lots of loud boats out there blasting back and forth all night long keeping you illegal overnighters from getting a good nights sleep.

LOL Maxum

[ApS]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Well is a darn good thing that we got lots of loud boats out there blasting back and forth all night long keeping you illegal overnighters from getting a good nights sleep.

I've only overnighted at anchor in the Biscayne National Monument, where its 270 square miles keeps things very quiet.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by ApS

NH had a boating RSA on excessive exhaust-pipe noise, but that's no longer the case.

What ever gave you the impression that there is no longer an excessive exhaust noise ordnance?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

The only thing that has changed in that regard is that switchable exhaust systems are now legal as they always should have been.... The Max limit is still in place.....

[ApS]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

The only thing that has changed in that regard is that switchable exhaust systems are now legal as they always should have been.... The Max limit is still in place.....

Really?

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Whatever gave you the impression that there is no longer an excessive exhaust noise ordnance?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

My Lyin' Eyes?



http://bwolfeboro.runboard.com/t147019

(ETA—Changed link to our oldest forum in Wolfeboro)

[Webbsatwinni]

[QUOTE=ApS;217938]Really?

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Whatever gave you the impression that there is no longer an excessive exhaust noise ordnance?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

My Lyin' Eyes?


http://tinyurl.com/lc8b6f3

I'm loathe to hot link,,,,,Hypocritical.

[Webbsatwinni]

[QUOTE=Webbsatwinni;217940]

Originally Posted by ApS

Really?



I'm loathe to hit link,,,,,Hypocritical.

And again Chipmunk, news hawk, aps, etc. great vid!!

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

[QUOTE=Webbsatwinni;217941]

Originally Posted by Webbsatwinni

And again Chipmunk, news hawk, aps, etc. great vid!!

I didn't hear or see anything crazy in that video. When I read the video title I expected to see a bunch of boats terrorizing the lake but all I saw was a few boats opened up on a calm rainy day with the lake to themselves. I don't get it. I did like the low hum of the engines as it brought me back to the sounds of summer. The boats opening up into Paugus after leaving the canal are MUCH louder than that. I welcome those sounds as they are very infrequent and part of living water front on a big lake.
Boy would I love to hear some boats right about now!

[Webbsatwinni]

[QUOTE=PaugusBayFireFighter;217973]

Originally Posted by Webbsatwinni

I didn't hear or see anything crazy in that video. When I read the video title I expected to see a bunch of boats terrorizing the lake but all I saw was a few boats opened up on a calm rainy day with the lake to themselves. I don't get it. I did like the low hum of the engines as it brought me back to the sounds of summer. The boats opening up into Paugus after leaving the canal are MUCH louder than that. I welcome those sounds as they are very infrequent and part of living water front on a big lake.
Boy would I love to hear some boats right about now!

I think you see the point, this video was posted on youtube by Wolfeboronian (Shhh we know who that really is ). The boats do not appear to be too close, and the sound isn't loud, but these people are called scofflaws by Wolfeboronian.

scoff·law
ˈskôfˌlô,ˈskäf-/
noun
informal
plural noun: scofflaws

1.
a person who flouts the law, esp. by failing to comply with a law that is difficult to enforce effectively.

I didn't see laws being broken in the video.

[Misty Blue]

I have always wondered why the various towns do not make overnight dock space available for a fee. Example:

You go to Canter Harbor and tie up for the night. You go to an "authorized agent" who accepts the fee and takes their share for the labor. They hand out a paper with the rules such as noise, hours that you can stay, etc.

The boater will pay the fee which could be used for dock maintenance, buy groceries in town and go the the local eating establishment and SPEND MONEY locally.

The local cops can keep an eye on the crowd and, if they want to have a couple of grogs in the evening they can do so without getting underway.

Just my $.02.

Misty Blue

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Misty Blue

I have always wondered why the various towns do not make overnight dock space available for a fee. Example:

You go to Canter Harbor and tie up for the night. You go to an "authorized agent" who accepts the fee and takes their share for the labor. They hand out a paper with the rules such as noise, hours that you can stay, etc.

The boater will pay the fee which could be used for dock maintenance, buy groceries in town and go the the local eating establishment and SPEND MONEY locally.

The local cops can keep an eye on the crowd and, if they want to have a couple of grogs in the evening they can do so without getting underway.

Just my $.02.

Misty Blue

MB, your 2 cents makes too much sense!!

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Misty Blue

I have always wondered why the various towns do not make overnight dock space available for a fee. Example:

You go to Canter Harbor and tie up for the night. You go to an "authorized agent" who accepts the fee and takes their share for the labor. They hand out a paper with the rules such as noise, hours that you can stay, etc.

The boater will pay the fee which could be used for dock maintenance, buy groceries in town and go the the local eating establishment and SPEND MONEY locally.

The local cops can keep an eye on the crowd and, if they want to have a couple of grogs in the evening they can do so without getting underway.

Just my $.02.

Misty Blue

My guess: water quality. The state is worried about people discharging stuff overnight or living aboard transient boats. Personally, I'm not a fan of overnighting via boat on the lake.

[tis]

I am not a fan of overnight boating either. People deposit too many things in the lake during the day, think what they would do overnight.

[garysanfran]

Especially at night.

Nothing like a bunch of drunk partiers, with a big sound system to help change the serenity of the Lake and its character forever! Maybe those who want to ruin the quiet for others should explore Lake George?

And are the drunks going to want to bother emptying their holding tanks next day with a hangover? Should they be allowed to "anchor-out" all summer? Should puking over the rail be allowed?

[BostonWhaler]

It may not have been legal, but I've "camped" quite a few places on Winni...

Anchored off of Black Is. in Melvin Bay way behind the black spars, and camped on the island twice (in the fall, with permission from Winaukee).

Camped on Store Is. multiple times as a kid. Anchored slightly off the north side of the island.

Got stuck in a thunderstorm at 1AM en route from Toltec Pt. to Wolfeboro, and took shelter next to the church in Melvin. Slept under a cockpit cover in a 19' Mirage (fun times ).

Camped in the boat while anchored just off the Trubee property just outside The Basin's tunnel once. Chef'd up steak tips and corn on the cob off the back of the boat.

Rule is... Be reasonably quiet, pick up after yourself (and leave any space you use better than you found it, and if you're on land, NO CAMPFIRES! Common sense, really.

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by BostonWhaler

It may not have been legal, but I've "camped" quite a few places on Winni...

Anchored off of Black Is. in Melvin Bay way behind the black spars, and camped on the island twice (in the fall, with permission from Winaukee).

Camped on Store Is. multiple times as a kid. Anchored slightly off the north side of the island.

Got stuck in a thunderstorm at 1AM en route from Toltec Pt. to Wolfeboro, and took shelter next to the church in Melvin. Slept under a cockpit cover in a 19' Mirage (fun times ).

Camped in the boat while anchored just off the Trubee property just outside The Basin's tunnel once. Chef'd up steak tips and corn on the cob off the back of the boat.

Rule is... Be reasonably quiet, pick up after yourself (and leave any space you use better than you found it, and if you're on land, NO CAMPFIRES! Common sense, really.

Love anarchy for all it's charm. I met a guy with a dog in SF that always allowed his dog to sh*t on the sidewalk even though there's a pooper-scooper law here. His reply? "The law doesn't apply to me". He ended up being on the wrong side of that opinion!

[BostonWhaler]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

Love anarchy for all it's charm. I met a guy with a dog in SF that always allowed his dog to sh*t on the sidewalk even though there's a pooper-scooper law here. His reply? "The law doesn't apply to me". He ended up being on the wrong side of that opinion!

Guessing that's a bit of unneeded sarcasm and you didn't take the time to read my post... Heck, my first post on this forum was about how to clean up a popular campsite in the lakes region. :/

Idea is... If you want to camp out on your boat, keep it LOW KEY. If you pick a spot where you won't bother others, clean up after yourself, keep it to a dull roar (I've been invited to island homes to keep the party going, but otherwise... Shhhh.).

In general, if you're RESPECTFUL, nobody will bother you. That said, things might be different on the south side of the lake.

[jrc]

Anarchy? Ok, I guess overnight anchoring and dog poop are the hallmarks of the fall of western civilization Newsflash, people break laws, especially annoying laws with relatively minor fines. Ever been on a highway?

It's clearly illegal but I'm sure people take a chance.

At our old marina, one night a couple of boats didn't come back. They were very nervous and hush, hush about it but finally admitted they were stuck after dark in place they didn't know well and decided to stay out. They were afraid they were going to get a ticket even the next day.

One day we anchored late morning near Stonedam and a little boat was anchored at the dock. A skinny older man swam over to our boat and told us great stories about his life and how he spent the last few days moving from island to island. He was a retired teacher and still upset about birth control pills ruining the need for teachers.

Turn on a VHF during a fishing derby, all those fishing boats don't make it back every night.

I never tried it, dealing with the Marine Patrol at 2AM is just not worth the novelty.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jrc

He was a retired teacher and still upset about birth control pills ruining the need for teachers.

Really?

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by jrc

Anarchy? Ok, I guess overnight anchoring and dog poop are the hallmarks of the fall of western civilization Newsflash, people break laws, especially annoying laws with relatively minor fines. Ever been on a highway?

It's clearly illegal but I'm sure people take a chance.

At our old marina, one night a couple of boats didn't come back. They were very nervous and hush, hush about it but finally admitted they were stuck after dark in place they didn't know well and decided to stay out. They were afraid they were going to get a ticket even the next day.

One day we anchored late morning near Stonedam and a little boat was anchored at the dock. A skinny older man swam over to our boat and told us great stories about his life and how he spent the last few days moving from island to island. He was a retired teacher and still upset about birth control pills ruining the need for teachers.

Turn on a VHF during a fishing derby, all those fishing boats don't make it back every night.

I never tried it, dealing with the Marine Patrol at 2AM is just not worth the novelty.

Inconsiderate people, I guess like you, ruined Stonedam Island for the Rice family. So you want to encourage more? There are all kinds of people in the world. One chooses how to conduct themselves with many decisions, every day. Some think of others...and some don't!

The Marine Patrol doesn't answer at 2 am. They're sleeping, not working.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

Inconsiderate people, I guess like you, ruined Stonedam Island for the Rice family. So you want to encourage more? There are all kinds of people in the world. One chooses how to conduct themselves with many decisions, every day. Some think of others...and some don't!

The Marine Patrol doesn't answer at 2 am. They're sleeping, not working.

I saw nothing in JRC's post that even came close to saying that they moored overnight, late morning; yes. How is that inconsiderate?

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

Especially at night.

Nothing like a bunch of drunk partiers, with a big sound system to help change the serenity of the Lake and its character forever! Maybe those who want to ruin the quiet for others should explore Lake George?

And are the drunks going to want to bother emptying their holding tanks next day with a hangover? Should they be allowed to "anchor-out" all summer? Should puking over the rail be allowed?

I have spent the night on the hook on Lake George. It was wonderfully peaceful and quiet even though there were quite a few boats in the cove anchorage I choose. I've done the same a few times on Sebago, and the CT River, also with no noise issues at all.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Dave R

I have spent the night on the hook on Lake George. It was wonderfully peaceful and quiet even though there were quite a few boats in the cove anchorage I choose. I've done the same a few times on Sebago, and the CT River, also with no noise issues at all.

⚫ Lake Winnipesaukee can be "wonderfully peaceful and quiet"; however, boats anchored overnight face the prospect of other boats wending their way amongst her 258 islands in the darkness.

⚫ In the dark, entire islands have been struck—off the top of my head—to include Rattlesnake Island (multiple times), Parker Island, Camp Island, Diamond Island, and Eagle Island.

(Although—technically—the collision with Camp Island can't be counted as "anchored-overnight")

⚫ Any anchored boat would place its occupants in far greater peril than any island-dweller from such misadventures.

_______________________________


⚫ Hopefully, everyone looked closely at the fire hydrant, the illegally parked BMW, fire hoses, and got a chuckle! (Schadenfreude—anyone?)

Follow the arrow...

[Lakesrider]

Well I can think of one time where someone should have stayed tied up and slept on their boat. Another person would still be alive.....

[dave603]

Originally Posted by Misty Blue

I have always wondered why the various towns do not make overnight dock space available for a fee. Example:

You go to Canter Harbor and tie up for the night. You go to an "authorized agent" who accepts the fee and takes their share for the labor. They hand out a paper with the rules such as noise, hours that you can stay, etc.

The boater will pay the fee which could be used for dock maintenance, buy groceries in town and go the the local eating establishment and SPEND MONEY locally.

The local cops can keep an eye on the crowd and, if they want to have a couple of grogs in the evening they can do so without getting underway.

Just my $.02.



Misty Blue

Towing my boat a lot I'm familiar with this:
That is what happens all along the coast, including inland river ways.
Lot's of marinas and even towns have a few open dock spaces that allow you to tie up to for a fee, even overnight most places. The ones I am familiar with are pretty tightly controlled for noise and dumping.

[jrc]

Hey Garysanfran, I guess the happy face wasn't enough I'm absolutely sure I never caused any problems for the Rice family.

I'm not encouraging anything, just relating my experiences and ribbing you a little for calling, what amounts to illegal parking, anarchy.

[ApS]

Yes, it's water quality. Any "camp" with a pipe in the water will tell you—especially islanders with a pipe for water.

Originally Posted by jrc

Hey Garysanfran, I guess the happy face wasn't enough I'm absolutely sure I never caused any problems for the Rice family.

I'm not encouraging anything, just relating my experiences and ribbing you a little for calling, what amounts to illegal parking, anarchy.

Some illegal parkers get their "comeuppance", but Winnipesaukee's overnighters seldom do.

[BostonWhaler]

A lot of animosity in this thread.

Me and my friends had a lot of life-enriching moments camping about Winni when we were kids, and never pissed anyone off. I only make it back up a couple times a season now, but it's definitely a show of how things have changed.

Where would a kid go nowadays to do such a thing? Is it better that they now have DSL to the islands so they can play Call of Duty on Xbox all day?

[dickiej]

On the coast, we call this "gunkholing".......finding a protected, quiet cove to throw the anchor over and spend the night. A lot easier on the ocean than a lake. I guess you have to look at this issue from both sides......if I owned a home on the lake, how would I feel about a boat or several boats anchoring right off my property? I guess it depends on how they behave......if they are loud, you know how sound travels on the water.......but if they're quiet, what harm, really? On the other hand, do you really want to open this door? Next thing, you've got hundreds of boats being trailered up to the lake for the weekend just adding to what many already consider an overcrowded situation......

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by dickiej

On the coast, we call this "gunkholing".......finding a protected, quiet cove to throw the anchor over and spend the night. A lot easier on the ocean than a lake. I guess you have to look at this issue from both sides......if I owned a home on the lake, how would I feel about a boat or several boats anchoring right off my property? I guess it depends on how they behave......if they are loud, you know how sound travels on the water.......but if they're quiet, what harm, really? On the other hand, do you really want to open this door? Next thing, you've got hundreds of boats being trailered up to the lake for the weekend just adding to what many already consider an overcrowded situation......

But those weekenders have the same right to enjoy the lake as the home owners.

[ishoot308]

The problem is some people are pigs and don't care!...not all... but those that are, ruin it for everyone and are the reason for some of the laws we have on the lake.

The people who litter and discharge their waste into the lakes and don't know when to keep the noise down, are the ones why the overnight law is in place. It's really that simple...

In my heart I believe over-nighting should be allowed on the lake...but the realist in me knows what the outcome would be...

Dan

[sum-r breeze]

[QUOTE=PaugusBayFireFighter;217973]

Originally Posted by Webbsatwinni

I didn't hear or see anything crazy in that video. When I read the video title I expected to see a bunch of boats terrorizing the lake but all I saw was a few boats opened up on a calm rainy day with the lake to themselves. I don't get it. I did like the low hum of the engines as it brought me back to the sounds of summer. The boats opening up into Paugus after leaving the canal are MUCH louder than that. I welcome those sounds as they are very infrequent and part of living water front on a big lake.
Boy would I love to hear some boats right about now!

We had a 28' Powerquest before the "Breeze" with a 502 Mag in it and Corsa muffled thru hull exhaust. I loved the sound of that big block chevy....but...I always thought the old law was a little stupid. I wanted to put "captain's call"(a feature that would send the exhaust noise through the prop and under water)
in the boat but was told it was illegal to have ANY type of switchable exhaust. We would come idling into the marina after 11:00pm and wake up the whole dock. I would have LOVED to come in quiet and un announced. We knew people who were out on the water over night and had their boat tucked into a cove to avoid detection from MP. We were never so daring.


The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[NoBozo]

I think you people are Totally Missing the REAL reason for the No Anchoring Overnight rule....

If anchoring overnight were allowed..we might see a "Barge"..or "Houseboat" anchored off a very nice Estate...For the SUMMER. Paying No Property taxes whatsoever...unlike the property owners on shore who pay massive taxes for their spot. Just a thought. NB

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by ApS

NH had a boating RSA on excessive exhaust-pipe noise, but that's no longer the case.

I can tell you that the Excessive noise law is being enforced, or at least trying to be.

In the 2012 boating season, a friend was stopped a total of, I believe, 8 times during the season, but a ticket never went to court due to some possible mistakes in how the test was administered.

In 2013, he was stopped once again and was issued a citation. He ended up having to pay a pretty hefty fine, and had to do a running test conducted out by Timber Island, where he had to do two pass by's, one at I believe 45, and another at WOT, approximately 75. He did have a MP officer in the boat, and no he didn't get a ticket for speeding as he was directed to do that speed.

Bottom line, the RSA is alive and well (not so well if you are the one ticketed and found guilty). What is not so obvious is how much it is being enforced, because we have had boat go by us that certainly seemed even louder than our friend's boat, at least to our ear.

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

I can tell you that the Excessive noise law is being enforced, or at least trying to be.

In the 2012 boating season, a friend was stopped a total of, I believe, 8 times during the season, but a ticket never went to court due to some possible mistakes in how the test was administered.

In 2013, he was stopped once again and was issued a citation. He ended up having to pay a pretty hefty fine, and had to do a running test conducted out by Timber Island, where he had to do two pass by's, one at I believe 45, and another at WOT, approximately 75. He did have a MP officer in the boat, and no he didn't get a ticket for speeding as he was directed to do that speed.

Bottom line, the RSA is alive and well (not so well if you are the one ticketed and found guilty). What is not so obvious is how much it is being enforced, because we have had boat go by us that certainly seemed even louder than our friend's boat, at least to our ear.

I think APS gets bored down in FL. and likes to stir the pot every now and then. and when he does, he is often proven wrong!